View full sizeMother and daughter Lisa (right) and Nicole Callaghan walk with Nicole's dog Lulabella at Medal of Honor Park in Mobile on Wednesday, Sept. 30, 2009. An email circulating among volunteers and parents of children who participate in recreational sports leagues says city parks will shut off their lights after 6 p.m. starting April 1, 2012. (Press-Register/Bill Starling)

“It is not our intent to do anything to curtail our youth activities,” Jones said. “We think they are very important in the city.”

The idea of shutting down the lights at city parks sparked concerns among youth sports leaders this week that all games scheduled after 6 p.m. would have to be cancelled.

Earlier this month, Jones presented $3.7 million in proposed cuts — including eliminating night sports — in the face of a projected $29 million budget shortfall next fiscal year. The austerity measures were slated to begin April 1.

Jones said the cuts were necessary without a new revenue source. He has proposed a one-cent sales tax increase, but lacking enough City Council support, it never came to a vote.

This morning, Jones attempted to allay fears over the future of youth sports, although he did not say the proposal was off the table.

Jones said the city is still in the process of determining how such a proposal would affect youth leagues.

Lorna Wilson, mother of two sons ages 7 and 12 who play at Westside Park, told the council on Tuesday that “it would be a big mistake to make cuts concerning our children.”

Wilson said she believes that word of the proposal was purposefully spread to stir up public support for the mayor’s proposed one-cent sales tax increase in lieu of scaling back city services.

“Don’t use them as pawns,” Wilson said, referring to children who play at the city’s parks.

Even so, she said she doesn’t support a sales tax increase.

An email was circulated among youths sports leaders on Monday announcing that as of April 1, power to city parks would be shut-off.

Billy Miller, president of Westside Little League, said the issue isn’t just about baseball — it’s about what the children learn while playing.

“We’re teaching discipline, respect, honor, courage,” Miller said.

At the end of the meeting, Jones responded to the concerns. He said he coached baseball for 10 years, and “I’m quite aware of its value.”

He said his administration wants the process of determining where to cut to be “well-planned, well-analyzed.”

Jones’ other proposed cuts include reducing police and fire overtime, eliminating some recreational services and increased wait times for residents paying bills.

Meanwhile, the city’s finance director, Barbara Malkove, reported that for the first five months of the current fiscal year, city’s revenues were over budget by $5.7 million and expenses were under budget by $5.6 million.

Councilman William Carroll asked why the city administration would still be using a $29 million projected shortfall if revenues are up and expenses down so far this year.

Malkove said the city will continue its planning based on the most conservative estimates while monitoring fluctuating expenses and revenues.

The council’s Finance Committee scheduled a meeting for Tuesday at 1 p.m.

Councilman John Williams said that Jones’ proposed one-cent sales tax increase will not be approved, and the administration will have to examine all non-essential city services for possible cuts.

He said he has urged the administration to consider contracting with park users to operate the facilities at no cost to the city. Several members noted that parents and coaches already pay for some park expenses out of their own pockets.

“Those things that are recreational may require the users to pay for them,” Williams said.

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Updated at 3:45 p.m. to include background about Jones' proposed cuts and comments from other council members.

Updated at 1:40 p.m. to include comments from public speakers and more details about the city's budget.